Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has dismissed allegations linking him to a disputed Sh20 billion land case involving prime property in Runda, Nairobi, terming the claims false and without factual basis.
The allegations, published in a section of the media and referenced in a court petition, suggest that Murkomen alongside Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi and Gatundu North MP Elijah Kururia are linked to an alleged scheme involving about 300 acres of land hosting the Paradise Lost recreational centre.
The petition is also seeking orders for the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to investigate the matter.
The petition is also seeking orders for the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to investigate the matter.
In a statement released through the Head of Communication in the Office of the Cabinet Secretary, Julius Sigei, Murkomen denied any involvement in the disputed property or knowledge of its ownership history.
“The Cabinet Secretary does not have an iota of personal interest in the property. In fact, he has no knowledge of the purported land, its location or the presence of a land dispute,” the statement said.
He further rejected claims suggesting he directs police operations related to land matters, stating that such assertions misrepresent the role of the Interior Ministry.
“The Cabinet Secretary does not carry out police patrols as purported by the petitioner. The fact that police officers may, by the nature of their work, get involved in land issues anywhere in the country does not mean the Cabinet Secretary is interested in any of those properties,” the statement added.
Murkomen also clarified that his mandate does not include giving instructions to police officers on operational matters, noting that his role is limited to policy direction issued through the Inspector General of Police.
“The Cabinet Secretary, by law and in fact, does not direct police in their day-to-day work. He only issues general policy guidelines which he does publicly and in writing through the Inspector General of Police,” the statement read.
He urged investigative agencies to act swiftly on the matter, calling for protection of legitimate land owners and proper handling of the dispute.
“The Cabinet Secretary urges the Inspector General and investigative authorities to move with speed to address this matter and protect the interest of genuine land owners in this case and across the country,” the statement concluded.